Currently, Drow was fighting a demon that looked like a humanoid hippo inside a bakery. Devon helped people to safety then he narrowly dived to the side as Drow was flung through the counter and register. Devon ran to Drow's side while saying,"You okay, Rose?"

Drow quickly sat up while saying in a pained voice,"Of course not, dumbass."

Devon sighed,"Okay I deserve that one." Then he narrowly jumped out of the way of a punch. He moved back, dodging each attack from the hippo demon then he instinctively punched it in the stomach. Devon recoiled back in pain then he was hit in the chest by the demon, causing him to crash into a table, collapsing it. He groaned in agony then he looked up and braced himself as the hippo demon loomed over him with it's fists above its head. Drow intercepted the demon and kicked it in the face, causing the demon to go flying backwards out of the bakery.

Drow looked at Devon and knelt down next to him saying a concerned tone,"Are you okay?"

Devon nodded before wincing and grabbing his side. Drow looked behind her to see that the demon had left the area. She tsked then she reverted into Rose and she helped Devon stand up. Devon grunted then said,"Sorry for getting in your way Rose."

"It's fine, you were helping me out. Besides, I wasn't doing too well against it anyway.",Rose said with some hesitation while looking away from Devon. Devon let out a brief chuckle but immediately winced in pain from doing so, to which Rose smirked.

Somewhere else in the city, Voria and Rufus were sitting together with Voria groaning in frustration before saying,"Ugh, how is she doing this?! Every demon I've sent her way has failed. Luckily this one hasn't died yet but still."

"I told you we should've given up last week but you said you wanted to keep pursuing Rose.",Rufus said.

"Of course I want to keep pursuing Rose. If I don't, the others we'll have my head then they'll either kill you or send you out to get her.",Voria said while turning to Rufus. Rufus let out a lazy groan in response while Voria scoffed and crossed her arms. Jacoby walked up to Voria and Rufus while saying,"Hey guys."

"Jacoby, why are you here?",Voria questioned.

"Oh no reason, I was just on my way to pick up some stuff I need to repair my PC and couldn't help but overhear you guys' conversation.",Jacoby replied while putting his hand into his pockets. Rufus and Voria looked at Jacoby then Voria said,"So are you going to tell Cleo?"

"No I'm not going to do that to you V. What I am gonna do is give you some advice on fighting Rose."

"You, give us advice? Please, you lost to her last month and only survived because her friend stopped her from killing you.",Rufus said in a demeaning tone.

"That may be true, but I still have the most knowledge on how to fight Rose and her friend. Knowledge that you guys desperately need if I'm not mistaken.",Jacoby said. Voria and Rufus looked at one another then at Jacoby with Voria saying,"Okay say your advice."

"Well for one thing, you gotta separate them in order to be truly effective in battle. The guy can only be in his armored form for about a few minutes or so before he tires out so you can try and use that to your advantage.",Jacoby casually said. Voria nodded, then she said,"Hmm, I'll keep those in mind. Thanks Jacoby."

"Hey no thanks necessary V, we're all the sins seven deadly. We gotta help each other out whenever we can.",Jacoby said with a friendly smile before he waved goodbye to Rufus and Voria and walked away. As he walked away, Jacoby smirked evilly.

At Devon's house in his backyard, Devon and Rose were standing in front of one another with Devon throwing punches while Rose had her hands up. Rose smiled then she said,"You're getting better at fighting."

"Well it's all thanks to you. Jeez, I'm tired.",Devon said while stopping and putting his hands on his knees. Rose chuckled then she looked at Devon for quite a long time, her expression being one of affection. Devon then stood up straight and noticed Rose staring at him,"What's wrong?"

"Huh, nothing. I just was going over everything that's happened since we met. I'm thankful that you've helped me so much.",Rose said while putting her hands in her pockets. Devon chuckled before stretching,"Heh, no need to thank me Rose."

"But you deserve thanks and so much more. I mean, from what I observed, not many people in this time period would take in some girl who appeared in front of their car randomly.",Rose explained somewhat bashfully while putting her hands behind her back and looking at the ground.

"Yeah you got a point there, but still. I would've done it either way and you don't need to thank me.",Devon said sincerely with a smirk. Rose looked at Devon and she smiled while pushing some hair out of her face. Suddenly, Holly looked over the gate and said,"Dev! Will you let me in?"

Devon sighed in annoyance then he said under his breath,"Why does she always come around when I'm tired?"

Rose chuckled in amusement then she and Devon walked inside of Devon's house to let Holly in.

Moments later, Holly was entering Devon's home while greeting both Devon and Rose. She then walked into Devon's kitchen while Devon asked her,"Why are you here?"

"I was bored and I wanted to see what you two were doing.",Holly said while looking through Devon's fridge.

"So you basically wanted to be nosy."

"Eyup. Bro, why don't you have anything good in here?"

"I do have things that are good, they're just not things you like."

Holly groaned in annoyance while closing the fridge. Devon crossed his arms then pinched the bridge of his nose,"Having a younger sibling can be hard at times."

"I find it to be funny when you two argue,"Rose commented. Devon gave Rose an unamused expression and Rose in turn lifted her hands up while backing away. Holly stopped, then she entered the living room saying,"Well I can't find any food in there so I'm just going to get food from the café. I'd like Rose to come with me."

Rose and Devon looked at Holly with shocked bewilderment, Devon even pointing at Rose and Rose pointing at herself. Holly nodded, then she grabbed Rose by the wrist and walked towards the door while saying,"We'll be back in a bit bro."

Rose grabbed her flip flops before she and Holly exited the house. Devon blinked several times, still being completely bewildered by what transpired, then he said,"Why do I get the feeling that whatever they talk about will come back to haunt me in some way."

"Because it most likely will.",the armored man said as he appeared beside Devon, startling Devon.

"Why are you appearing now?!",Devon asked.

"Because you've gotten stronger and I think it's time for you to try and summon the Crusiad armor on your own."

"That's it? You could've just said that at any time, didn't need to scare me half to death."

"If I scared you that much, I wouldn't be wasting my time by appearing before you."

"Wow, you just waste no time do you."

"Usually no."

Devon scoffed, then he looked at the brace on his arm and he became apprehensive.

At a café, Holly and Rose sat across from one another with both having cups of tea in front of them. Rose looked around the cafe, purposely avoiding eye contact with Holly, then she sipped her tea. Holly sipped her tea then she said,"So Rose, what's going on between you and my brother?"

"What do you mean?"Rose questioned, finally looking at Holly.

"I mean, what's the relationship between you two? Like are you just roommates, friends or are you guys ya know."

"No I don't know."

"Are you two a couple?"

Rose spit out her tea to the side then she hurriedly began wiping her mouth while saying in a nervous hurry,"Me and Devon, a couple?! No way, no way. He's much too busy to get with me plus we're just friends. Best friends. Nothing more going on between us. Even if Devon is really handsome and kind and one of the nicest people I know, we're just friends."

Holly looked at Rose with crossed arms and a raised eyebrow then she said in a deadpan and knowing tone,"So you have a crush on my brother?"

Rose looked like a deer in headlights when Holly asked this. She made incoherent noises for a moment then she hung her head low saying,"Yes, I have a crush on your brother."

Holly smiled, triumphantly saying,"I knew there was something more between you two."

"No there's nothing more. Devon doesn't even know I like him like that and I've just begun to like him more romantically."

"Bull crap, I saw how you looked at him when he was taking that splinter out of your foot."

Rose slumped in her seat,"Ah dammit, now that you know he's going to find out."

'No he won't."

Rose quickly looked at Holly with a raised eyebrow,"He won't?"

"He won't. Not until I give you a slight makeover and prepare the best first date in the history of first dates."Holly said with enthusiasm. Rose gained a confused expression then asked,"What's a date?"

Holly looked at Rose with confusion,"You don't know what a date is?"

"I don't know what many things in this time period are."Rose answered bluntly. Holly raised an eyebrow at this then she looked out the window and screamed in terror. Rose looked out the window and immediately jumped over to Holly, pushing her to the ground as a car rocketed through the window and into the back of the café. Rose and Holly got to their feet as the hippo demon came into the café before bellowing.

"Holly, run and call Devon."Rose commanded as her belt appeared on her waist with the crystal being violet. "Henshin."

"BEAT EM DOWN! DROW: FORCE FORM!"

Rose turned into Drow in force form and she leaped towards the hippo demon, beginning to fight it outside of the café. Holly had a shocked expression on her face then she took out her phone and dialed Devon's number.

Back with Devon, he was currently on the bus hanging up his phone. He then made his way to the front of the bus as it stopped. Devon ran out of the bus and began running down the street when he was suddenly sent into a store front display by a shockwave of energy. He groaned in pain while standing up and looking out the store, the sight causing him to gain a shocked expression.

The thing that he was looking at appeared to be Rufus except his appearance had changed greatly. Rufus' hair was now a sickly green color and went down to his shoulder and even over his eyes. He was now covered in dirt and had shackles with chains on his wrists while also having the build of a strong man. Rufus was also now shirtless with dirty dark blue shorts on and he had worn dirty black boots on. Rufus' teeth were also now razor sharp and he even had flies floating around his head.

Rufus breathed heavily then he said,"I hate that I have to expend so much energy just to kill you and Rose." as he summoned a mace. Devon gulped, then he said,"Hey angel, is that the guy that was on the scooter?"

Devon's eyes changed to being light blue and he said in the armored man's voice,"Yes. That is Rufus Lazeel, the sin of Sloth."

Devon's eyes changed back to normal and he said,"Well, that's good to know." before he lifted his brace and pressed the jewel on it,"Henshin."

Devon changed into Crusiad and readied himself as Rufus neared him.

To be continued…